Thursday, November 19, 2009

Anya sex video 'hot' on Internet

US, Asian websites jump in

By Aretha Welch awelch@trinidadexpress.com

Story Created: Nov 19, 2009 ECT

Story Updated: Feb 4, 2011 at 3:58 PM ECT

The sex scandal involving former Miss T&T universe Anya Ayoung-Chee, her long-time boyfriend, American photographer Wyatt Gallery, and "a very close (female) friend" has graduated from being mere fodder for locals and hit the international scene big time.

When approached on Wednesday at a fashion show hosted by local designer Meiling, Ayoung-Chee, speaking on behalf of herself and Gallery (who was present with her), said, "We're not making any comments."

Despite Ayoung-Chee's decision to stay mum, several online media sites have now picked up on the story. While it started with the popular celebrity gossip site TMZ, which reportedly spoke with Gallery, as of early yesterday morning, several Asian newspapers, blogs and some New York-based websites were also carrying content related to the sex tape.

According to the TMZ report, Gallery confirmed Ayoung-Chee was in the tape with him and "another woman", but he said the other woman was not Japan's Miss Universe representative for 2008, as is being alleged.

Gallery reportedly told TMZ that the "intimate" material was taken from his computer when he carried it to repair at a shop in Trinidad. It was also said the video, which has reportedly hit Ayoung-Chee's family "very hard", was filmed back in 2007.

Gallery has said, "I feel horrible and embarrassed for Anya, her family and myself."

TMZ also claimed they spoke with a representative from the Miss Universe Pageant international organisation who said, "This was apparently eight months after the pageant and neither were the reigning titleholder. The photographer is not a Miss Universe staffer, so we have nothing to say or any involvement ... thank goodness."

Gallery alleged that the tape was intentionally leaked to sabotage Ayoung-Chee's modelling and design career.

Ayoung-Chee made her first major showing in the design world earlier this year at Trinidad and Tobago Fashion Week, where she premiered a line entitled 'Pilar' in memory of her younger brother, Pilar Ayoung-Chee, who perished in a vehicular accident.

International reports claim Gallery is moving to sue the website that initially posted the recording, which is now being split up into shorter segments and being circulated via e-mail and Facebook messages.